ABSTRACT

The object of the study is to determine the frequency and associated factors in development of ROP at very low birth weight infants born in our hospital and hospitalized in neonatal intensive care unit.

246 babies born and followed up in our hospital between January 2007 and December 2011 and had birth weight < 1500 g were evaluated retrospectively. Effective factors on development of retinopaty of prematurity were evaluated.

Of these patients, 55 (22.4%) were diagnosed with ROP. The mean gestational age in babies diagnosed as ROP was 28.3±2.3 weeks and we found that with decreasing gestational age risk of development of ROP increased (p: 0.011). Of 55 patients with diagnosis of ROP; 29 (%52.7) were followed up with stage 1, 17 (%30.9) were at stage 2, 8 (%14.6) were at stage 3 and 1 patient was (%1.8) at stage 5. We detected statistically significant correlation between development of ROP and PDA, advanced stage of NEC (stage 2-3), sepsis, presence of BPD (p values respectively; p=0.0001, p=0.004, p=0.003, p=0.0001 and p=0.002). There was no relationship with mechanical ventilation, CPAP application and surfactant application. Factors such as maternal hypertension, diabetes, preeclampsia, smoking, age and mode of delivery were not associated with development of ROP. From the 55 cases detected retinopathy of prematurity, 9 (%16.3) had ≥ stage 3 ROP and treated with laser photocoagulation, and 1 (%1.8) of these cases developed permanent visual loss.

Development of ROP which is the second cause of acquired visual loss in the world has multifactorial etiology and for reducing the incidence low birth weight babies should be examined with taking into account these factors.

Keywords: Newborn, retinopathy, prematurity, laser photocoagulation therapy